series 3 vs Series 1

[AussieEtype]

I used my Series 3 as an everyday driver for quite a few years and the long doors were a bit of a disadvantage in the supermarket car parks - because the doors are long, with cars parked on either side, you cannot get the doors open very far before they touch the car next to you - making it awkward swing the knees out of the car. Shorter doors would open further so so helping you to get out.

The other aspect is that the long heavy doors give the bushings in the hinges hell and I have always had a bit of movement in them but has never worn enough to become a major issue.

Garry

[Ole-xke1974]

Hi back on the getting in and out i have mazda mx5 seats in my s3 on fossway runners it gives me another 2 inches of space plus the shape of the seat backrest misses the roof mechanism when the roof is down i am 6ft 2in and transforms the car for getting in and out and on a long journey it makes it so much more comfortable plus its so easy to put the original seats back so no resale problems

Regards

I have Mazda seats in my S3 as well, but on the original Mazda runners adapted to the S3 mounting holes and brackets.
My seats sits a little high in the car, which is OK for a vertically challenged like me, but I'd be interested to know how your seats are mounted on the Fossway runners, if you care to share.

Thanks ........ Ole

[Mephistopheles]

interesting discussion...from an aesthetic point of view I would prefer a combination of series 3 and series 1: the series 3 OTS body, but with the short wheelbase of series 1. The wheelbase and the doors of series 3 are simply much too long. But this is just my personal opinion. Nevertheless, I have not yet put the cutting torch on and I will not do so in the future.
Best regards
Holger

[angelw]

Garry Wrote:

The other aspect is that the long heavy doors give the bushings in the hinges hell and I have always had a bit of movement in them but has never worn enough to become a major issue.

Hello Garry,
Is your car USA delivered? The US cars have an anti intrusion panel inside the doors which is quite massive. Australian delivered (and perhaps other parts of the World) cars don't have this panel and the difference in weight is extraordinary.

Regards,

Bill

[AussieEtype]

Hi Bill - no my car is a UK car - the doors have always been the same - even back in 1982 when I got it. The doors do not sag and close correctly but when they are open you can lift them a little - not sure it is something to get fixed with new bushes as it could make things worse and open a can of worms. As I said they close fine, gaps are fine just noticeable if you try and lift the door when it is open (and how often do you try and lift doors).

Cheers
Garry

[SESH]

interesting discussion...from an aesthetic point of view I would prefer a combination of series 3 and series 1: the series 3 OTS body, but with the short wheelbase of series 1. The wheelbase and the doors of series 3 are simply much too long. But this is just my personal opinion. Nevertheless, I have not yet put the cutting torch on and I will not do so in the future.
Best regards
Holger

Think Jay Leno in the States did this to an E Type. He has a SWB series 3 in red.
Mike